Method and devices for signifying scrubbing action

Abstract

A method for signifying a selected cumulative scrubbing action between a device and a surface, the cumulative scrubbing action being signified by a signaling element, wherein the signaling element is configured to provide an observable signal when the selected cumulative scrubbing action has been provided to the surface. The method may comprise applying scrubbing action to the signaling element to release and/or expose at least a first portion of an indicator, and observing the device and/or surface for the signal. The present disclosure also relates to signaling elements and devices for use according to the methods of the present disclosure, and to methods of preparing the same.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for signifying a selected cumulative scrubbing action comprising:
 applying a signaling element to a surface, the signaling element comprising an indicator configured to function as a signal when the selected cumulative scrubbing action is applied to the signaling element; 
 applying scrubbing action to the signaling element to release and/or expose at least a first portion of the indicator; and 
 observing the surface for a presence or absence of the signal provided by the indicator, 
 wherein the signaling element comprises at least one of: 
 (a) a degradable component constraining at least a portion of the indicator, wherein the degradable component is configured to degrade in response to the selected cumulative scrubbing action, and 
 (b) a resin reversibly bound to at least a portion of the indicator and/or an indicator harboring entity harboring at least a portion of the indicator, wherein the resin is configured to release the indicator and/or indicator harboring entity in response to the selected cumulative scrubbing action. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the signaling element is configured such that the degradable component releases and/or exposes at least a first portion of the indicator when the selected cumulative scrubbing action is applied. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the signaling element comprises a core comprising the indicator, and wherein the degradable component is on an outer surface of the core. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing action is applied using a device. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the signaling element is applied to the surface using the device. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the signaling element is provided with the device. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the device is configured to apply a cleansing agent to the surface. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of an applicator and a wipe. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the signal is a gradient signal. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the signaling element is configured to release and/or expose at least a second portion of the indicator when the signaling element is subjected to a cleansing agent. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the signaling element comprises a colorant. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface is a patient's body. 
     
     
       13. A method for signifying a selected cumulative scrubbing action comprising:
 applying scrubbing action to a surface using a device, wherein the device comprises a signaling element having an indicator configured to function as a signal when the selected cumulative scrubbing action is applied to the signaling element; and 
 observing the device for a presence or absence of the signal provided by the indicator, 
 wherein the signaling element comprises at least one of: 
 (a) a degradable component constraining at least a portion of the indicator, wherein the degradable component is configured to degrade in response to the selected cumulative scrubbing action, and 
 (b) a resin reversibly bound to at least a portion of the indicator and/or an indicator harboring entity harboring at least a portion of the indicator, wherein the resin is configured to release the indicator and/or indicator harboring entity in response to the selected cumulative scrubbing action. 
 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the signaling element is provided as two layers on an outer surface of the device, wherein an inner layer comprises the indicator and an outer layer comprises the degradable component. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the signaling element is provided as one multi-component layer on an outer surface of the device, wherein the one multi-component layer comprises the indicator and the degradable component. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of an applicator and a wipe. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the surface is a patient's body. 
     
     
       18. A device comprising a signaling element,
 wherein the device is configured to apply scrubbing action, 
 wherein the signaling element comprises an indicator configured to function as a signal when a selected cumulative scrubbing action is applied to the signaling element; 
 wherein the signaling element is configured to release and/or exposes at least a first portion of the indicator to provide the signal in response to the selected cumulative scrubbing action, and 
 wherein the signaling element comprises at least one of: 
 (a) a degradable component constraining at least a portion of the indicator, wherein the degradable component is configured to degrade in response to the selected cumulative scrubbing action, and 
 (b) a resin reversibly bound to at least a portion of the indicator and/or an indicator harboring entity harboring at least a portion of the indicator, wherein the resin is configured to release the indicator and/or indicator harboring entity in response to the selected cumulative scrubbing action. 
 
     
     
       19. The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the signaling element comprises a core comprising the indicator, and the degradable component on an outer surface of the core. 
     
     
       20. The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the signaling element is provided as two layers on an outer surface of the device, wherein an inner layer comprises the indicator and an outer layer comprises the degradable component. 
     
     
       21. The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the device is configured to apply the signaling element to a surface. 
     
     
       22. The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the device further comprises a cleansing agent, and wherein the device is configured to apply the cleansing agent to a surface. 
     
     
       23. A signaling element comprising an indicator configured to function as a signal,
 wherein the signaling element is configured to release and/or exposes at least a first portion of the indicator to provide the signal on a surface in response to a selected cumulative scrubbing action applied to the surface, and 
 wherein the signaling element comprises at least one of: 
 (a) a degradable component constraining at least a portion of the indicator, wherein the degradable component is configured to degrade in response to the selected cumulative scrubbing action, and 
 (b) a resin reversibly bound to at least a portion of the indicator and/or an indicator harboring entity harboring at least a portion of the indicator, wherein the resin is configured to release the indicator and/or indicator harboring entity in response to the selected cumulative scrubbing action. 
 
     
     
       24. The signaling element according to  claim 23 , wherein the signaling element comprises a core comprising the indicator, and the degradable component on an outer surface of the core.